Pizza Hut enters ‘on-the-go’ market with EG Group
Pizza Hut and EG Group have embarked on a new partnership to enable Pizza Hut to enter the ‘on-the-go’ travel market.
As a franchisee, EG Group will operate eight new Pizza Hut stores in petrol forecourt stations across the UK by the end of the year.
The first EG Group operated store is due to open in the Hartlepool area in the next few weeks.
The stores will retain Pizza Hut’s signature branding and menu, but will also offer pizza slices for customers to order on the go.
The move follows Pizza Hut’s announcement a year ago in which it said it planned to open 125 new locations over a three-year period and create around 2,000 jobs.
Commenting on the partnership with EG Group, Neil Manhas, general manager at Pizza Hut Delivery in the UK, said: “We are extremely excited to partner with EG Group to create further opportunities for our communities and continue investing in the brand our fans know and love. EG Group has a wealth of experience in forecourt retail, in operating food service and their expertise as a global leader in this specific type of retail makes them the ideal partner to lead us into this new market.
“This partnership demonstrates our commitment to adapting to customer demand by expanding our offerings. This wouldn’t be possible without the incredible work of each of our franchisees and Team Members, who have helped us continue to grow following the pandemic. I appreciate their dedication to the Pizza Hut brand”.
EG Group operated stores will offer five classic Pizza Hut flavours including Margherita, Pepperoni, Supreme, Meat Feast, and Veggie Supreme, as well as newer addition, the Beyond Meat Supreme pizza.
Pizza Hut Delivery launched the Beyond Meat meat-free range earlier this year, as well as a roast dinner pizza in response to consumer demand.
The company has operated as a franchisor in the UK since 1973 and now operates 600 food outlets across the UK. The business achieved double digit year-on-year sales growth in the second half of 2020, with sales continuing to grow throughout 2021.
Mohammed Tayab, food & beverage director – Europe at EG Group, said: “We are proud to be partnering with Pizza Hut to bring yet another global food service brand to our customers in convenient locations across the UK. We are excited to build on our existing relationship with Yum!, as we already work with KFC and operate a large number of restaurants across the EG Group estate. We look forward to trialling the pizza by the slice proposition and making it a resounding success.”
